Hanady Shaqur speaks at a Board of Regents meeting in May 2025, advocating for action for Gazan students. Photo credit/ Hanady Shaqur.
Over the past year, my work with Zaytoon UW and the Zaytoon Scholarship Network has been defined by urgency, resilience, and collaboration. Recognizing the absence of a formal Palestinian-led organization on campus, myself and another Palestinian student initiated the formation of Zaytoon UW. Officially launched on October 2, 2024, Zaytoon UW was led by a board of nine Palestinian students focusing on political advocacy and cultural preservation. Our first and most urgent priority was to ensure the implementation of the scholarship for displaced Gazan students, a scholarship that the university administration promised to students. At the time of our launch, the University of Washington had not publicized the scholarship, and the undergraduate application deadline was fast approaching (November 15). We quickly mobilized to fill this gap, creating a volunteer network that matched Gazan applicants with community mentors to help guide them through the admissions process. Support from the Abe Osheroff and Gunnel Clark endowment aided in this work.
We also engaged directly with university administration in a series of meetings, advocating for necessary accommodations given the students’ circumstances. These efforts led to the successful securing of application fee waivers, extended deadlines, and alternative English proficiency test options for students with limited internet access. Upon reflection, there were many things that led to serious frustration among our student group. The university had no clear plan of implementing this program had we not taken this project on.
The outpouring of solidarity from local community members to national student networks, and even international faculty outreach now that most of our scholars are at universities abroad, has not only made a measurable impact but has also sent a powerful message to our scholars: that they are not alone, that their education matters, and that people are paying attention.
An internet cafe in Gaza used by many students in order to complete their applications to UW and other international universities. Photo credit/ Hanady Shaqur.
The initial phase of our program was emotionally harrowing and mentally exhausting. We were not just reviewing applications, but were reading desperate messages from students surviving under active bombardment, navigating daily shellings, mourning the deaths of family members, and in many cases, losing limbs or loved ones overnight. Each message carried unbearable weight. Our social media manager received floods of inquiries through Instagram, many from students still in Gaza seeking any lifeline, any chance to escape. Three of our board members, myself included, spent countless hours responding to WhatsApp messages and emails in real time, connecting students to support networks and resources. What continues to haunt me are the dozens of messages I received during that winter quarter. More often than not they were messages that did not ask for help, but informed me of the deaths of our applicants. Some killed by airstrikes. Others shot. These notifications would appear on my phone one after another. It was relentless and left only a growing urgency to act. While each death strengthened our resolve, it was a heavy emotional cost none of us were prepared for. We recognized that the scope of this program was beyond the capabilities of college students; we needed the help of experienced professionals who have worked with refugees, and quickly.
What continues to haunt me are the dozens of messages I received during that winter quarter. More often than not they were messages that did not ask for help, but informed me of the deaths of our applicants. Some killed by airstrikes. Others shot.
With this, our work extended beyond the University of Washington through the Zaytoon Scholarship Network, which supports displaced Palestinian students globally. While navigating the ever changing immigration policies from the U.S. we had a real network of lawyers and advocates that were heavily experienced in this line of work. This proved to be crucial following the suspension of U.S. visas for Palestinian passport holders, which led to many students being forced to alter their academic plans. In response, we worked with partners and supporters to help evacuate students from Gaza and assist them in enrolling in universities abroad. To date, two Zaytoon Scholars have successfully arrived in Seattle, and eleven others have been evacuated from Gaza and enrolled in European institutions, many of whom secured admissions and partial financial support.
Reflecting on our program, I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished under such constrained timelines and with limited institutional support. The outpouring of solidarity from local community members to national student networks, and even international faculty outreach now that most of our scholars are at universities abroad, has not only made a measurable impact but has also sent a powerful message to our scholars: that they are not alone, that their education matters, and that people are paying attention. With the financial, emotional, and professional support that we’ve received, we’ve been able to build the infrastructure needed to provide direct aid to students, organize effectively across borders, and advocate for fair access to education for some of the world’s most vulnerable scholars.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to supporting the students who are here and those still trying to leave Gaza. We will continue expanding our scholarship outreach, advocating for displaced students, and pushing for institutional accountability. While the need remains great, so does our resolve, and we are deeply grateful for the support that has made this work possible.